17:30 Hamilton

Sunday 22 September 2019

All14:0014:3015:0015:3016:0016:3017:0017:30

Racing TV HD On Sky 426 Handicap

Off time: 17:33 | Winning time: 2m 46.0s

(4)

Funny Man^v¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 10-1| J: D Tudhope| T: D O'Meara| OR: 80| D

15/8

Enigmatic sort who went better than usual when equipped with a visor for the first time at York on his latest start over 2m when third. Had looked hard work before now including when registering a hat-trick in midsummer; visor needs to work again.

Form: 111323

(3)

Soloist^b⁴⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: J Fanning| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 72| D

9/1

Stable debut having produced a career-best in first-time blinkers on her final start for William Haggas over 1m4f (AW). Looked well suited by the drop back to this trip last time; now has to prove herself on turf off a career-high mark.

Form: 777271

(7)

Karasheni⁷⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: P Mulrennan| T: I Jardine| OR: 72

14/1

Newcomer to this yard having been bought for £14,000 from Dermot Weld; lightly-raced in Ireland, still a maiden (0-5). Tried in various headgear (visor/cheekpieces), none work here, second handicap start, this run should reveal more for the future.

Form: 0-0347

(8)

George Mallory⁴⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: T Eaves| T: K A Ryan| OR: 68

4/1

Improved last time winning a 1m2f Haydock handicap with a switch to front-running tactics proving ideal (allowed the run of things). Showed a good attitude to hold off late challengers; now up 5lb in a better class of race, difficult to follow up.

Form: 466671

(5)

Art Of Diplomacy²⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: Nathan Evans| T: M & D Easterby| OR: 65

10/1

Handicap newcomer who is immediately stepped up in trip having looked hard work on his last qualifying run over 1m2f at Ripon (turf debut). Never really involved on that occasion but likely to be of interest in the future in this sphere.

Form: 7-54

(2)

Cuba Ruba^p¹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 8-9| J: D Allan| T: T D Easterby| OR: 60| D

5/2

Opened his account when scoring over 1m4f at Musselburgh off a 3lb lower mark having started to look exposed off similar ratings. Followed up with a respectable effort over the same C&D under a 6lb penalty; will be suited by some give.

Form: 554414

(6)

Pour Sioux²²

Age: 3| Weight: 8-7| J: Sean Davis⁽³⁾| T: G Elliott| OR: 58

25/1

Steady progress through her qualifying runs (gradually stepped up in trip) at big prices on good and soft ground. Failed to make the expected evolution on her handicap debut last time; dropped 4lb, good apprentice booked, not written off just yet.

Form: 0058

(1)

Lizzie Loch¹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 8-6| J: A Mullen| T: A C Whillans| OR: 57

20/1

First Flat winner of the year for the yard when scoring at Ayr in July showing improved form stepped up to 1m5f for the first time (plenty of stamina in pedigree). Not in anything like the same form last time after a break; questions to answer.

Form: 400017

Forecasts

Funny Man (15/8), Cuba Ruba (5/2), George Mallory (4/1), Soloist (9/1), Art Of Diplomacy (10/1), Karasheni (14/1), Lizzie Loch (20/1), Pour Sioux (25/1)

For all his quirks that he’s displayed this season FUNNY MAN has compiled a good record in handicaps (2111323) and continues on the up for the O’Meara yard. It remains to be seen if the visor continues to allow him to travel more easily especially back in trip but his York third last time reads well in the context of this race. George Mallory will need to improve to follow up his Haydock win with Soloist also having to prove herself back on turf off a stiffening mark. Art Of Diplomacy will be of interest if the market vibes are strong and the same could be said of Pour Sioux from the Gordon Elliott yard. Cuba Ruba will enjoy the ground and can’t be ignored in a competitive finale.